A multi-port charging control method

Abstract

The present application provides a multi-port charging control method, including: monitoring the number of charging paths in a conducting state; when at least two charging paths are in a conducting state, detecting the output current of each charging path in the conducting state; determining whether the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets a first preset condition, and when it is determined that the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets the first preset condition, setting the one or more charging paths that meet the first preset condition as target charging paths, and disconnecting the target charging paths when it is determined that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition. Among them, the solution of the present application is beneficial to effectively monitor the plugging and unplugging state and fully charged state of the charging loads of each charging path, and can dynamically and flexibly adjust the output voltage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of charging technologies, and in particular, to a multi-port charging control circuit and method, a charging chip, and a power supply device having the multi-port charging control circuit or the charging chip. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the development of fast charging technologies, various fast charging technologies have been increasingly widely applied, and there are more and more fast charging power supply devices such as fast charging adapters, fast charging vehicle chargers, and fast charging mobile power supplies. In addition, with the wide use of electronic products, users' demand for charging multiple devices simultaneously has gradually increased, and multi-port fast charging technologies have gradually become the mainstream in charging applications. However, since the fast charging output power is relatively large, if fast charging currents are output simultaneously from multiple output interfaces, the total output power will be too large, which will not only increase the design cost but also increase the design difficulty.

[0003] To control costs, some existing power supply devices usually adopt a single power converter and support fast charging output only when only one output interface is connected to a charging load; when more than one output interface is connected to a charging load, the fast charging output is turned off, and when it returns to the situation where only one output interface is connected to a charging load, the fast charging output is restored. However, in this fast charging output mode, if some charging loads are already fully charged but still connected to the output interface, even if there is only one charging load that is not fully charged, the power supply device cannot output a fast charging voltage to the uncharged charging load, resulting in a longer charging time for the charging load and affecting the user experience.

[0004] To shorten the charging time of the charging load, some existing power supply devices also judge whether the charging load is fully charged by monitoring whether the output current of the output interface is lower than a preset threshold, and actively turn off the corresponding charging output when it is determined that the charging load is fully charged. In this way, in the case where only one charging load is not fully charged, the power supply device can actively output a fast charging voltage to the uncharged charging load, thereby shortening the charging time of the charging load. However, during the charging process, an electronic device may have a relatively high temperature due to certain special usage situations. For the sake of safe charging, some electronic devices with a self-protection system will actively pause charging when they are not fully charged and continue charging after their temperature returns to normal. If the above method of detecting the output current of the output interface is used to judge whether the electronic device is fully charged, misjudgment may occur when the electronic device pauses charging, and the corresponding charging output may be turned off prematurely, resulting in the electronic device stopping charging before it is fully charged, thus affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a multi-port charging control circuit and method, a charging chip, and a power supply device, which can accurately and effectively detect the state of a charging load, and dynamically and flexibly control the on / off state of a charging path according to the detection result, so as to optimize the charging efficiency and improve the user experience.

[0006] In a first aspect of the present application, a multi-port charging control circuit is provided. The multi-port charging control circuit includes a plurality of interface modules, a voltage conversion module, and a charging control module. Among them, each of the interface modules is respectively used to connect to a charging load. The voltage conversion module is electrically connected to the plurality of interface modules respectively to form a plurality of charging paths. The charging control module is electrically connected to the plurality of charging paths and the voltage conversion module respectively. The charging control module is configured to detect the output current of each charging path in a conducting state when at least two charging paths are in a conducting state. The charging control module is further configured to determine whether the output current of each charging path in a conducting state meets a first preset condition, where the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path is lower than a preset current threshold. The charging control module is further configured to, when it is determined that the output current of one or more charging paths in a conducting state meets the first preset condition, set the one or more charging paths that meet the first preset condition as target charging paths, and determine whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets a second preset condition, where the second preset condition includes that the target charging load is unplugged, or the target charging load is not unplugged but the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a first preset time threshold. The charging control module is further configured to disconnect the target charging path when it is determined that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present application, a charging chip is provided. The charging chip includes the multi-port charging control circuit according to the first aspect.

[0008] In a third aspect of the present application, a fast charging power supply device is provided. The fast charging power supply device includes a power input interface, a plurality of USB interfaces, and the multi-port charging control circuit according to the first aspect or the charging chip according to the second aspect. The power input interface is configured to receive an input voltage provided by an external power supply. The plurality of USB interfaces are respectively used to be electrically connected to a plurality of charging loads one by one. The multi-port charging control circuit or the charging chip is electrically connected between the power input interface and the plurality of USB interfaces, and is configured to receive the input voltage and provide a charging voltage for the plurality of charging loads. Among them, the input end of the voltage conversion module of the multi-port charging control circuit or the charging chip is electrically connected to the power input interface, and the plurality of interface modules of the multi-port charging control circuit or the charging chip are electrically connected to the plurality of USB interfaces one by one.

[0009] The fourth aspect of the present application provides a multi-port charging control method, which is applied to the multi-port charging control circuit described in the first aspect or the charging chip described in the second aspect. The multi-port charging control method includes: when at least two charging paths are in a conducting state, detecting the output current of each charging path in the conducting state; determining whether the output current of each charging path in the conducting state meets a first preset condition, where the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path is lower than a preset current threshold; when it is determined that the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets the first preset condition, setting the one or more charging paths that meet the first preset condition as target charging paths, and determining whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets a second preset condition, where the second preset condition includes that the target charging load is unplugged, or the target charging load is not unplugged but the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a first preset time threshold; and when it is determined that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition, disconnecting the target charging path.

[0010] When the multi-port charging control circuit of this embodiment detects that the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, it continues to detect whether the target charging load is unplugged. In this way, it can effectively avoid the situation where the target charging load is misjudged as being unplugged due to its own reasons for pausing charging, so that the target charging load can resume charging after pausing charging for a period of time, thereby improving the user's charging experience.

[0011] In addition, the multi-port charging control circuit of this embodiment can automatically disconnect the target charging path when the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold. Thus, when there is only one charging load not fully charged, the not fully charged charging load can use the fast charging mode for charging, thereby improving the charging speed of the not fully charged charging load and the user's charging experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0013] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the functional modules of a multi-port charging control circuit provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the functional modules of the detection module shown.

[0015] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a circuit structure of the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module shown.

[0016] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the functional modules of a charging chip provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the functional modules of a power supply device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 6 Flowchart of a multi-port charging control method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 7 Flowchart of a method for detecting the state of a charging load provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Description of the main component symbols

[0021] Multi-port charging control circuit 100, 41, 52

[0022] Voltage conversion module 11

[0023] Charging path 12

[0024] Interface module 121

[0025] Switch module 122

[0026] Charging control module 13

[0027] Detection module 14

[0028] Plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141

[0029] Fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142

[0030] Current detection sub-module 143

[0031] Charging load 200

[0032] Charging chip 400

[0033] Power supply device 500

[0034] Power input interface 51

[0035] USB interface 53

[0036] Switching transistors Q1 and Q2

[0037] Resistor R1

[0038] Comparator C1

[0039] Steps 601 - 610, 701 - 714

[0040] The following specific embodiments will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above - mentioned drawings. Specific embodiments

[0041] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and represent only schematic diagrams, and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the present application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The terms used in the present application in the specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0043] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the functional modules of a multi - port charging control circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the multi - port charging control circuit 100 includes a voltage conversion module 11, a plurality of interface modules 121, and a charging control module 13. Among them, each of the interface modules 121 is respectively used to connect to a charging load 200. The interface module 121 can adopt interfaces of types such as Type - A or TYPE - C, for example. It can be understood that the plurality of interface modules 121 can be set to interfaces of the same type or interfaces of different types. Figure 1 The multiple charging loads 200 shown in the figure correspond to different electronic devices, and the types of the electronic devices can be the same or different. For example, the electronic devices can be mobile phones, tablet computers, etc. For the convenience of description, in the Figure 1 embodiment of the present application, the plurality of interface modules 121 are labeled with the same component symbol, and the plurality of charging loads 200 are also labeled with the same component symbol.

[0044] The voltage conversion module 11 is configured to receive an input voltage provided by an external power supply (not shown in the figure), and convert the input voltage into a suitable output voltage for output. For example, the input voltage provided by the external power supply may be an AC mains voltage of 220V. Correspondingly, the voltage conversion module 11 can be used to convert the AC input voltage provided by the external power supply into a DC output voltage.

[0045] The output terminal of the voltage conversion module 11 is electrically connected to the plurality of interface modules 121 respectively to form a plurality of charging paths 12. The plurality of charging paths 12 are used to output a charging voltage to a plurality of connected charging loads 200 through the corresponding interface modules 121. For the convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application mainly take two charging paths 12 as an example to introduce in detail the structure of the multi-port charging control circuit 100 of the present application.

[0046] In this embodiment, the charging control module 13 is electrically connected to the plurality of charging paths 12 respectively, and the charging control module 13 is configured to control the on / off states of the plurality of charging paths 12. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 further includes a plurality of switch modules 122. The plurality of switch modules 122 correspond to the plurality of charging paths 12 one by one, and each switch module 122 is disposed on the corresponding charging path 12. That is, the plurality of switch modules 122 are electrically connected between the voltage conversion module 11 and the plurality of interface modules 121 one by one. Each switch module 122 is configured to control the on / off state of the corresponding charging path 12. Among them, the switch module 122 can adopt electronic switch devices such as MOS transistors, triodes, and relays. In this embodiment, the type of the switch module 122 is not limited.

[0047] The charging control module 13 is electrically connected to the plurality of switch modules 122 respectively, and the charging control module 13 controls the on / off states of the plurality of charging paths 12 by controlling the on / off states of the plurality of switch modules 122. In this embodiment, when no charging load 200 is connected to the interface module 121, the switch module 122 is in an off state.

[0048] In this embodiment, the charging control module 13 is further configured to detect the electrical parameters of each charging path 12 and the states of the charging loads 200 connected to each interface module 121. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 further includes a plurality of detection modules 14. The plurality of detection modules 14 correspond to the plurality of interface modules 121 and the plurality of charging paths 12 one by one. The charging control module 13 is configured to detect the electrical parameters of the plurality of charging paths 12 and the states of the charging loads 200 corresponding to the plurality of interface modules 121 through the plurality of detection modules 14.

[0049] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, each of the detection modules 14 includes a plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141, a fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142, and a current detection sub-module 143. Among them, the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 is electrically connected to the corresponding interface module 121, and the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 is configured to detect the plugging and unplugging state of the charging load 200 corresponding to the corresponding interface module 121, and feed back the detection result to the charging control module 13.

[0050] Next, in combination with Figure 3 we will briefly introduce the circuit structure and working principle of the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141. Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic circuit diagram of one kind of the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141. It can be understood that the structure of the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 is not limited to Figure 3 the structure shown.

[0051] As Figure 3 shown, the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 includes a comparator C1, a resistor R1, and switching transistors Q1 and Q2. Among them, the positive input terminal + of the comparator C1 is electrically connected to the DP pin or the DM pin of the corresponding interface module ( Figure 3 taking the DP pin as an example in ), and the positive input terminal + of the comparator C1 is also electrically connected to the output terminal of a voltage source (not shown in the figure) through the resistor R1 and the switching transistors Q1 and Q2 to receive an input voltage of 2.7V. The negative input terminal - of the comparator C1 is electrically connected to the output terminal of a reference voltage generating circuit (not shown in the figure) to receive a reference voltage of 2V. The on-off states of the switching transistors Q1 and Q2 can be controlled by a control signal det_en applied to the control terminals of the switching transistors Q1 and Q2. Among them, the control signal det_en can be generated by the charging control module 13, for example.

[0052] When no charging load is inserted into the interface module, the DP pin or the DM pin is floating, and its voltage is pulled up to 2.7V through the resistor R1. At this time, the positive input terminal + of the comparator C1 receives a voltage of 2.7V, which is higher than the reference voltage of 2V received by the negative input terminal -. According to the working principle of the comparator, the comparator C1 outputs a high-level signal "1". That is, when the charging load is not inserted into the interface module, the detection signal det_flag output by the comparator C1 is a high-level signal "1".

[0053] When a charging load (not shown in the figure) is inserted into the interface module, the impedance to ground of the charging load (not shown in the figure) and the resistor R1 form a voltage-dividing circuit. According to the voltage-dividing principle, the voltage of the DP pin or the DM pin is pulled down below 2V by the impedance to ground of the charging load. At this time, the positive input terminal of the comparator C1 receives a voltage lower than 2V, and the comparator C1 outputs a low-level signal "0". That is, when a charging load is inserted into the interface module, the detection signal det_flag output by the comparator C1 is a low-level signal "0".

[0054] In this way, the charging control module 13 can detect the plugging and unplugging state of the charging load corresponding to the corresponding interface module 121 through the detection signal det_flag fed back by the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141.

[0055] It can be understood that when the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 detects that a charging load 200 is inserted into the corresponding interface module 121 and feeds the detection signal det_flag back to the charging control module 13, the charging control module 13 can turn on the corresponding charging path 12 according to the detection signal det_flag fed back by the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 to output a charging voltage to the connected charging load 200.

[0056] The fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 is electrically connected to the corresponding interface module 121. The fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 is used to detect the fast charging protocol signal of the charging load connected to the corresponding interface module 121 and feed the detection result back to the charging control module 13. It can be understood that for different types of interface modules, the circuit structure of the fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 can also be changed accordingly.

[0057] Among them, when the fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 detects a fast charging protocol signal, the charging control module 13 can determine that the corresponding charging load 200 supports the fast charging protocol and can identify the fast charging voltage required or requested by the corresponding charging load 200 according to the fast charging protocol signal fed back by the fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142. On the contrary, when the fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 does not detect a fast charging protocol signal, the charging control module 13 can determine that the corresponding charging load 200 does not support the fast charging protocol and can determine that the corresponding charging load 200 requests a normal charging voltage.

[0058] The current detection sub-module 143 is electrically connected to the corresponding charging path 12. The current detection sub-module 143 is configured to detect the output current of the corresponding charging path 12 and feed back the detection result to the charging control module 13. In this way, after the charging control module 13 turns on the charging path 12, it can detect the output current of the turned-on charging path 12 in real time or at a preset frequency through the corresponding current detection sub-module 143.

[0059] During use, the charging control module 13 is configured to detect in real time or at a preset frequency whether there is a charging load connected to the interface module 121 corresponding to the charging path 12 in the off state, and when it is detected that there is a charging load connected to the charging path 12 in the off state, turn on the charging path 12 in the off state and with the charging load connected. In this embodiment, as described above, the charging control module 13 can detect whether there is a charging load connected to the interface module 121 corresponding to the charging path 12 in the off state through the plug-and-play detection sub-module 141 corresponding to the charging path 12 in the off state.

[0060] In this embodiment, the charging control module 13 is further configured to monitor the number of charging paths 12 in the on state in real time or at a preset frequency during use.

[0061] As Figure 1 shown, the charging control module 13 is also electrically connected to the voltage conversion module 11. The charging control module 13 is further configured to control the voltage conversion module 11 to output a preset normal charging voltage when at least two of the charging paths 12 are in the on state. Among them, the normal charging voltage can be set to 5V.

[0062] Since the fast charging output power is relatively large, for a multi-port fast charging power supply device, if multiple output interfaces output fast charging current at the same time, the total output power is too large, which will not only increase the design cost but also increase the design difficulty. The multi-port charging control circuit 100 of this embodiment outputs a preset normal charging voltage to each connected charging load when at least two of the charging paths 12 are in the on state, so as to effectively avoid the problem that the total output power is too large due to multiple interface modules 121 outputting fast charging current at the same time through a simple circuit structure, and without increasing the design and manufacturing costs.

[0063] Furthermore, the charging control module 13 is further configured to detect the output current of each charging path 12 in the on state in real time or at a preset frequency when at least two of the charging paths 12 are in the on state. In this embodiment, as described above, the charging control module 13 can detect the output current of the turned-on charging path 12 through the current detection sub-module 143.

[0064] Further, the charging control module 13 is further configured to determine whether the output current of each of the charging paths 12 in the conducting state satisfies a first preset condition. Wherein, the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path changes from being higher than a preset current threshold to being lower than the preset current threshold. Wherein, the preset current threshold can be set to 10 mA or 100 mA, etc., and the specific value of the preset current threshold is not limited in this embodiment.

[0065] The charging control module 13 is further configured to, when determining that the output current of one or more charging paths 12 in the conducting state satisfies the first preset condition, set the one or more charging paths 12 that satisfy the first preset condition as target charging paths, and determine whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path satisfies a second preset condition, and when determining that the state of the target charging load satisfies the second preset condition, disconnect the target charging path.

[0066] Wherein, in this embodiment, the second preset condition may include that the target charging load is unplugged. In this embodiment, as described above, the charging control module 13 can detect whether the charging load connected to the charging path 12 in the conducting state is unplugged or removed through the plug-and-unplug detection sub-module 141 corresponding to the charging path 12 in the conducting state.

[0067] It can be understood that when the multi-port charging control circuit 100 of this embodiment detects that the target charging load is unplugged, it disconnects the target charging path, so that when there is only one conducting charging circuit left, the charging load connected to the conducting charging path can be charged in the fast charging mode to accelerate the charging speed of the charging load.

[0068] In this embodiment, the second preset condition may further include that the target charging load is not unplugged but the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains below the preset current threshold exceeds a first preset time threshold t1. Wherein, the first preset time threshold can be set to 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes, etc., and the specific value of the first preset time threshold is not limited in this embodiment.

[0069] It can be understood that the multi-port charging control circuit 100 may further include a timer module (not shown in the figure), and the timer module is used to record the duration. It can be understood that the timer module can also be set in the charging control module 13, and the setting of the timer module is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0070] Since some electronic devices may have a relatively high temperature due to certain special usage scenarios during the charging process. For example, the electronic device is charged in a place with a relatively high ambient temperature, or the user uses the electronic device to play games while charging. When the electronic device detects that its own temperature is too high, for the sake of safe charging, these electronic devices may actively pause charging when they are not fully charged and continue charging after their temperature returns to normal. If it is only determined whether the electronic device is fully charged by detecting the output current of the charging path, it is very likely that a misjudgment will occur when the electronic device pauses charging, and the corresponding charging path will be disconnected prematurely, resulting in the electronic device stopping charging before it is fully charged, thus affecting the user experience.

[0071] When the multi-port charging control circuit 100 of this embodiment detects that the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, it continues to detect whether the target charging load is unplugged. In this way, it can effectively avoid the situation where the target charging load is misjudged as unplugged due to pausing charging for its own reasons, so that the target charging load can resume charging after pausing charging for a period of time, thereby improving the user experience of charging.

[0072] In addition, if the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains below the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold, it indicates that the target charging load may already be fully charged. If the target charging path continues to be in the conducting state for a long time, even if there is only one charging load that is not fully charged, this uncharged charging load will still not be able to use the fast charging mode for charging.

[0073] By adopting the multi-port charging control circuit 100 of this embodiment, when the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains below the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold, the target charging path can be automatically disconnected, so that when there is only one charging load that is not fully charged, this uncharged charging load can use the fast charging mode for charging, thereby improving the charging speed of this uncharged charging load and the user experience of charging.

[0074] In summary, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 provided in this embodiment can accurately and effectively detect the plugging and unplugging status and full charge status of the charging loads corresponding to each charging path, and can dynamically and flexibly adjust the output voltage of the voltage conversion module according to the detection results, thereby optimizing the charging efficiency and improving the user experience of charging.

[0075] In another embodiment, the first preset condition can be set such that the output current of the target charging path changes from being higher than a preset current threshold to being lower than the preset current threshold, and the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a second preset time threshold t0. In this way, for transient charging anomalies, such as the situation where a user touches the target charging load and affects the circuit connection, frequent triggering of the detection of the fully charged state and the unplugged state of the target charging load can be avoided, and premature disconnection of the target charging path can also be avoided.

[0076] Among them, the second preset time threshold t0 is less than the first preset time threshold t1. The second preset time threshold t0 can be set to, for example, 8 seconds, 16 seconds, 32 seconds, etc. In this embodiment, the specific value of the second preset time threshold is not limited.

[0077] The following details the operation of the charging control module 13 to determine whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets the second preset condition.

[0078] In this embodiment, the charging control module 13 first determines whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state. It can be understood that the charging control module 13 can detect the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load through the fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142 corresponding to the target charging path to determine whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state. Among them, if the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load is detected, it can be determined that the target charging load is in a fast charging request state; conversely, if the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load is not detected, it can be determined that the target charging load is not in a fast charging request state.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the target charging load is in a fast charging request state, the charging control module 13 can determine that the target charging load has not been unplugged. It can be understood that the target charging load being in a fast charging request state indicates that the target charging load has not been unplugged or removed yet. The target charging load may be fully charged or may have paused charging due to an abnormal situation. It should be noted that in this embodiment, since the voltage conversion module 11 outputs a normal charging voltage when at least two of the charging paths are conducting, all connected charging loads are charged with the normal charging voltage. Thus, the target charging load being in a fast charging request state only means that the target charging load supports fast charging or has a fast charging requirement, but the target charging load is not necessarily in the fast charging mode. The target charging load can also be in the normal charging mode, that is, the non-fast charging mode.

[0080] Further, when the target charging load is not in the fast charging request state, the charging control module 13 continues to detect whether the target charging load has been unplugged.

[0081] It can be understood that the charging load may support fast charging or may not support fast charging. For a charging load that does not support fast charging, the fact that the target charging load is not in the fast charging request state does not mean that the target charging load has been unplugged. Therefore, further plugging and unplugging detection is required to accurately determine whether the target charging load has actually been unplugged.

[0082] As described above, the charging control module 13 can detect whether the target charging load has been unplugged or removed through the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 corresponding to the target charging path 12.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 3 simultaneously. When the charging load is just inserted into the interface module, since the corresponding charging path has not yet output a fast charging voltage to the charging load, the voltage of the DP pin or DM pin of the corresponding interface module will be lower than 2V, and the comparator C1 will output a low-level signal "0". Therefore, the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141 can accurately detect the insertion of the charging load.

[0084] During the charging process, if there is only one charging load and the charging load is in the fast charging mode, even if the charging load is fully charged or the charging is paused, the voltage of the DP pin or DM pin of the corresponding interface module may be higher than 2V. In this case, the comparator C1 may output a high-level signal "1". At this time, the charging control module 13 cannot accurately determine whether the charging load has been unplugged only through the detection signal det_flag fed back by the plugging and unplugging detection sub-module 141, and may misjudge that the charging load has been unplugged.

[0085] Before detecting the plugging and unplugging of the target load, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 of this embodiment first detects the fast charging protocol signal of the target load to determine whether the target charging load is in the fast charging request state, which can exclude the situation where the charging load is in the fast charging mode of being fully charged or paused but is misjudged as being unplugged, so as to effectively and accurately detect the plugging and unplugging state of the charging load, avoid misdetection of whether the charging load has been unplugged, and further avoid prematurely disconnecting the target charging path due to misjudgment.

[0086] Further, when it is determined that the target charging load has not been unplugged, the charging control module 13 continues to determine whether the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains below the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold.

[0087] It can be understood that by determining whether the duration exceeds the first preset time threshold, it is possible to effectively avoid the situation where the target charging load pauses charging and causes the target charging path to be disconnected in advance, and it is also possible to avoid the target charging path being in a conducting state for a long time when the target charging load is fully charged. In this way, after the charging load pauses charging for a period of time, the uncharged charging load can resume charging.

[0088] Further, when the duration exceeds the first preset time threshold, or when it is determined that the target charging load has been unplugged, the charging control module 13 determines that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition, and disconnects the target charging path to stop the voltage output to the target charging path.

[0089] In this way, when the state of the charging load connected to one or more conducting charging paths meets the second preset condition, the charging control module 13 can automatically disconnect the one or more conducting charging paths, so that the remaining conducting charging paths have the opportunity to obtain the fast charging voltage to shorten the charging time.

[0090] It can be understood that in this embodiment, only when the target charging load is not unplugged does it need to wait for the first preset time threshold before disconnecting the target charging path, and when it is determined that the target charging load has been unplugged, the target charging path can be immediately disconnected without waiting for the first preset time threshold.

[0091] In this embodiment, the charging control module 13 is further configured to, when only one charging path is in a conducting state, obtain the target charging voltage requested by the charging load connected to the conducting charging path, and control the voltage conversion module 11 to adjust the output voltage to the target charging voltage, so that the charging load connected to the conducting charging path can charge at the target charging voltage.

[0092] Among them, the charging control module 13 can detect the fast charging protocol signal of the charging load connected to the conducting charging path through the corresponding fast charging protocol detection sub-module 142, and determine the corresponding target charging voltage according to the fast charging protocol signal.

[0093] It can be understood that when only one of the charging paths is in the conducting state, the charging load connected to the conducting charging path may not necessarily request a fast charging voltage. If the charging load requests a normal charging voltage, it indicates that the charging load does not support the fast charging protocol, and the voltage conversion module 11 can continue to output the normal charging voltage to charge the corresponding charging load. If the charging load requests a fast charging voltage, it indicates that the charging load supports the fast charging protocol, and the charging control module 13 can control the voltage conversion module 11 to output the corresponding fast charging voltage to charge the corresponding charging load, thereby shortening the charging time of the corresponding charging load.

[0094] It can be understood that when only one of the charging paths is in the conducting state and the voltage conversion module 11 outputs a fast charging voltage, if a charging load is connected to any of the other charging paths, the charging control module 13 can control the voltage conversion module 11 to adjust the output voltage to the normal charging voltage.

[0095] In summary, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 provided in this embodiment can automatically and flexibly adjust the output voltage by detecting the states of the connected charging loads, so as to pause the fast charging function when at least two charging paths 12 are in the conducting state, effectively avoiding the problem of excessive total output power caused by multiple interface modules simultaneously outputting fast charging currents; and restoring the fast charging function when only one charging path 12 is in the conducting state, thereby being able to accelerate the charging speed of the charging load in the most efficient charging manner, achieving the effect of optimizing the charging efficiency, and at the same time better taking into account the user experience.

[0096] Furthermore, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 provided in this embodiment can effectively identify and distinguish between the two states of the charging load being fully charged and being unplugged / removed for the charging path with a charging current less than the preset current threshold, and adopt different disconnection strategies for the corresponding charging path for these two different states, thereby improving the user experience of charging.

[0097] In this embodiment, different disconnection strategies refer to maintaining the conducting state of the corresponding target charging path for different lengths of time for different states of the target charging load. For example, when the target charging load has been removed, the corresponding target charging path can be disconnected after a few seconds, a dozen seconds, or dozens of seconds, thereby reducing the waiting time for other charging loads to use the fast charging mode; when the target charging load still exists on the corresponding interface module, the corresponding target charging path can be disconnected after several minutes, a dozen minutes, or dozens of minutes, thereby effectively avoiding misdetection of whether the charging load has been unplugged.

[0098] Furthermore, the multi-port charging control circuit 100 provided in this embodiment can not only quickly identify whether the charging load has been removed for the charging path whose charging current is less than the preset current threshold, but also quickly disconnect the corresponding charging channel when the charging load is actually removed, and continue to charge the charging load for a period of time when the charging load is not removed. This method of extending the charging time is particularly effective for detection schemes with low current detection accuracy, because if the detection accuracy is not high, it is necessary to set the preset current threshold to a larger value, such as 100mA. At this time, the charging load is in a state of being almost fully charged, but it may not be fully charged yet. By extending the charging time, the charging load can be truly fully charged. As for the situation in which the charging load temporarily stops charging due to factors such as abnormal temperature as mentioned above, extending the charging time can enable the charging load to resume charging within this time.

[0099] The present application also provides a charging chip. Figure 4 As shown, the charging chip 400 includes a multi-port charging control circuit 41. The multi-port charging control circuit 41 may correspond to Figure 1 For the multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown in FIG. 1 , please refer to the previous description of the multi-port charging control circuit 41 for specific technical details. Figure 1 The detailed description of the multi-port charging control circuit 100 is not repeated here for the sake of saving space and avoiding repetition. It can be understood that the multiple interface modules of the multi-port charging control circuit 41 can correspond to the I / O interfaces on the charging chip.

[0100] This application also provides a fast charging power supply device. Figure 5 As shown, the power supply device 500 includes a power input interface 51, a multi-port charging control circuit 52, and multiple USB interfaces 53. The power input interface 51 is electrically connected to the multi-port charging control circuit 52, and the power input interface 51 is used to receive an external power source, such as an input voltage provided by a 220V AC mains, to provide an input voltage to the multi-port charging control circuit 52.

[0101] The multiple USB interfaces 53 are used to electrically connect to multiple charging loads, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, etc. In this embodiment, the USB interfaces 53 include USB TYPE-A interfaces and USB TYPE-C interfaces. The USB interfaces 53 are used to electrically connect to charging loads via USB charging cables.

[0102] The multi-port charging control circuit 52 is used to charge the connected charging load. In this embodiment, the multi-port charging control circuit 52 may correspond to Figure 1The multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown. For the specific technical details of the multi-port charging control circuit 52, please refer to the relevant specific description of the multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown above. To save space and avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the multi-port charging control circuit 52 can be provided in the charging chip. Figure 1 The multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown. For the specific technical details of the multi-port charging control circuit 52, please refer to the relevant specific description of the multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown above. To save space and avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the multi-port charging control circuit 52 can be provided in the charging chip.

[0103] Among them, the multi-port charging control circuit 52 is electrically connected between the power input interface 51 and the multiple USB interfaces 53, and is used to receive the input voltage and provide a charging voltage for the multiple charging loads. Specifically, the input end of the voltage conversion module of the multi-port charging control circuit 52 is electrically connected to the power input interface 51, and the multiple interface modules of the multi-port charging control circuit 52 are electrically connected to the multiple USB interfaces 53 one by one.

[0104] The power supply device 500 can be a fast charging mobile power supply, a fast charging adapter and other devices.

[0105] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of a multi-port charging control method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The multi-port charging control method can be applied to Figure 1 the multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown or Figure 4 the charging chip shown. It should be noted that the multi-port charging control method of this embodiment is not limited to Figure 6 the steps and order in the flowchart shown. According to different requirements, the steps in the flowchart shown can be added, removed, or the order can be changed.

[0106] In this embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the multi-port charging control method includes the following steps.

[0107] Step 601, detect whether there is a charging load connected to the interface module corresponding to the charging path in the disconnected state. When it is detected that there is a charging load connected to the charging path in the disconnected state, execute Step 603; when it is not detected that there is a charging load connected to the charging path in the disconnected state, execute Step 602.

[0108] Step 602, determine whether there is a charging path in the conducting state. When there is a charging path in the conducting state, execute Step 604; when there is no charging path in the conducting state, return to the above Step 601, and continue to detect whether there is a charging load connected to the interface module corresponding to the charging path in the disconnected state.

[0109] Step 603, conduct the charging path in the disconnected state and with a charging load connected.

[0110] Step 604, monitor the number of charging paths in the conducting state, and determine whether only one charging path is in the conducting state. When at least two of the charging paths are in the conducting state, execute Step 605; when only one charging path is in the conducting state, execute Step 610.

[0111] Step 605, control the voltage conversion module to output a preset normal charging voltage.

[0112] Step 606, detect the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0113] Step 607, determine whether the output current of each charging path in the conducting state meets a first preset condition. Wherein, the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path is lower than a preset current threshold.

[0114] Optionally, in another embodiment, the first preset condition can be set as the output current of the charging path is lower than a preset current threshold, and the duration for which the output current of the charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a second preset time threshold.

[0115] If the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets the first preset condition, set the one or more charging paths that meet the first preset condition as target charging paths, and execute Step 608; if the output current of each charging path in the conducting state does not meet the first preset condition, return to Step 606 and continue to detect the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0116] Step 608, determine whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets a second preset condition.

[0117] Wherein, the second preset condition includes that the target charging load is unplugged, or the target charging load is not unplugged but the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a first preset time threshold. Wherein, the first preset time threshold is greater than the first preset time threshold.

[0118] If the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition, execute Step 609; if the state of the target charging load does not meet the second preset condition, return to Step 606 and continue to detect the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0119] Step 610, obtain the target charging voltage requested by the charging load connected to the charging path in the conducting state, and control the voltage conversion module to adjust the output voltage to the target charging voltage.

[0120] Among them, for the specific technical details of steps 601-610 in this embodiment, reference can be made to the description of the relevant technical details of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and no repeated description will be given here.

[0121] When the multi-port charging control method of this embodiment detects that the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, it continues to detect whether the target charging load is unplugged. In this way, it can effectively avoid the situation where the target charging load is misjudged as being unplugged due to its own reason for pausing charging, so that the target charging load can resume charging after pausing for a period of time, thereby improving the user's charging experience.

[0122] In addition, the multi-port charging control method of this embodiment can automatically disconnect the target charging path when the duration of the output current of the target charging path remaining below the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold. Thus, when there is only one charging load not fully charged, the not fully charged charging load can use the fast charging mode for charging, so as to improve the charging speed of the not fully charged charging load and improve the user's charging experience.

[0123] In addition, the multi-port charging control method provided in this embodiment can automatically and flexibly adjust the output voltage by detecting the state of the connected charging load, so as to pause the fast charging function when at least two charging paths are in the conducting state, in order to effectively avoid the problem that the total output power is too large due to multiple interface modules outputting fast charging current at the same time; when only one charging path is in the conducting state, the fast charging function is restored, so that the charging speed of the charging load can be accelerated in the most efficient charging method, achieving the effect of optimizing the charging efficiency, and at the same time, the user's experience can be better taken into account.

[0124] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of a method for detecting the state of a charging load provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method for detecting the state of the charging load can be applied to Figure 1 the multi-port charging control circuit 100 shown in Figure 4 or the charging chip shown in

[0125] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7 the method for detecting the state of the charging load includes the following steps.

[0126] Step 701, detect the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0127] Step 702: Determine whether the output current of each charging path in the conducting state is lower than a preset current threshold. If the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state is lower than the preset current threshold, set the one or more charging paths with output current lower than the preset current threshold as target charging paths, and execute Step 703; if the output current of each charging path in the conducting state is not lower than the preset current threshold, return to Step 701 to continue detecting the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0128] Step 703: Start a timer to start timing, that is, time the duration t during which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold.

[0129] Step 704: Determine whether the duration t exceeds a second preset time threshold t0. If the duration t exceeds the second preset time threshold t0, execute Step 708; if the duration t does not exceed the second preset time threshold t0, execute Step 705.

[0130] Step 705: Continue to detect the output current of the target charging path.

[0131] Step 706: Determine whether the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold. If the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, return to Step 704 to continue determining whether the duration t exceeds the second preset time threshold t0; if the output current of the target charging path is not lower than the preset current threshold, it indicates that the target charging load has resumed charging. At this time, execute Step 707.

[0132] Step 707: Clear the timing and return to Step 701 to continue detecting the output current of each charging path in the conducting state.

[0133] Step 708: Determine whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state. If the target charging load is in a fast charging request state, it is determined that the target charging load is still in a connected state and has not been unplugged. At this time, execute Step 712; if the target charging load is not in a fast charging request state, execute Step 709.

[0134] Step 709: Perform plug and unplug detection on the target charging load.

[0135] Step 710: Determine whether the target charging load has been unplugged. If the target charging load has not been unplugged, execute Step 712; if the target charging load has been unplugged, execute Step 711.

[0136] Step 711: Disconnect the target charging path.

[0137] Step 712: Determine whether the duration t exceeds a first preset time threshold t1. If the duration t exceeds the first preset time threshold t1, the process jumps to Step 711; if the duration t does not exceed the first preset time threshold t1, then execute Step 713.

[0138] Step 713: Continue to detect the output current of the target charging path.

[0139] Step 714: Determine whether the output current of the target charging path is lower than a preset current threshold. If the output current of the target charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, return to Step 708 to continue to determine whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state; if the output current of the target charging path is not lower than the preset current threshold, it indicates that the target charging load resumes charging. At this time, the process jumps to Step 707.

[0140] Among them, Steps 701 - 714 of this embodiment are Figure 6 the specific steps of Steps 606 - 609 of the illustrated embodiment. For specific technical details, reference can be made to Figure 1 the description of the relevant technical details of the illustrated embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0141] It should be noted that the method for detecting the state of the charging load in this embodiment is not limited to Figure 7 the steps and sequence in the illustrated flowchart. According to different requirements, the steps in the illustrated flowchart can be added, removed, or the order can be changed. For example, according to different requirements, Steps 704 - 706 can be removed.

[0142] Before detecting the plugging and unplugging of the target load, the method for detecting the state of the charging load in this embodiment first detects the fast charging protocol signal of the target load to determine whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state, which can exclude the situation where the charging load is in a fast charging mode of being fully charged or paused but is misjudged as being unplugged, so as to effectively and accurately detect the plugging and unplugging state of the charging load, avoid misdetection of whether the charging load is unplugged, and further avoid prematurely disconnecting the target charging path due to misjudgment.

[0143] Furthermore, the method for detecting the state of the charging load provided in this embodiment can effectively identify and distinguish between the two states of the charging load being fully charged and being unplugged / removed for a charging path with a charging current less than the preset current threshold, and for the two different states of being fully charged and being unplugged / removed, different disconnection strategies are adopted for the corresponding charging paths, thereby improving the user's charging experience.

[0144] Furthermore, the state detection method for the charging load provided in this embodiment is applicable to a charging path where the charging current is less than the preset current threshold. It can not only quickly identify whether the charging load is removed, but also quickly disconnect the corresponding charging channel in case the charging load is actually removed, and continue to charge the charging load for a further period of time in case the charging load is not removed. This way of extending the charging time is particularly effective for detection schemes with low current detection accuracy. Because if the detection accuracy is low, the preset current threshold needs to be set relatively large, for example, 100 mA. At this time, the charging load is in a nearly full state, but it may not be truly full yet. By extending the charging time, the charging load can reach a fully charged state. For the situation where the charging load stops charging temporarily due to abnormal temperature or other factors mentioned above, extending the charging time can enable the charging load to resume charging during this period.

[0145] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and not to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A multi-port charging control method, characterized in that, the multi-port charging control method is applied to a multi-port charging control circuit or a charging chip, and the multi-port charging control method includes: monitoring the number of charging paths in the conducting state, wherein multiple charging paths correspond to multiple detection circuits one by one; the detection circuit is used to detect the electrical parameters of the multiple charging paths; when at least two charging paths are in the conducting state, using the detection circuit to detect the output current of each charging path in the conducting state; judging whether the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets a first preset condition, wherein the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path is lower than a preset current threshold; when it is determined that the output current of one or more charging paths in the conducting state meets the first preset condition, setting the one or more charging paths that meet the first preset condition as target charging paths, and judging whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets a second preset condition; and when it is determined that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition, disconnecting the target charging path; wherein, the second preset condition includes that the target charging load is unplugged, or the target charging load is not unplugged but the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a first preset time threshold; wherein, judging whether the state of the target charging load connected to the target charging path meets the second preset condition includes: judging whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state; when the target charging load is in a fast charging request state, determining that the target charging load is not unplugged; when the target charging load is not in a fast charging request state, detecting whether the target charging load has been unplugged; when it is determined that the target charging load is not unplugged, judging whether the duration for which the output current of the target charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds the first preset time threshold; when the duration exceeds the first preset time threshold, or when it is determined that the target charging load has been unplugged, determining that the state of the target charging load meets the second preset condition.

2. The multi-port charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, judging whether the target charging load is in a fast charging request state includes: detecting the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load; when the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load is detected, determining that the target charging load is in a fast charging request state; and when the fast charging protocol signal of the target charging load is not detected, determining that the target charging load is not in a fast charging request state.

3. The multi-port charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first preset condition is that the output current of the charging path is lower than the preset current threshold, and the duration for which the output current of the charging path remains lower than the preset current threshold exceeds a second preset time threshold.

4. The multi-port charging control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second preset time threshold is less than the first preset time threshold.

5. The multi-port charging control method according to claim 1, wherein, the multi-port charging control method further includes: detecting whether a charging load is connected to the interface circuit corresponding to the charging path in the disconnected state; when it is detected that a charging load is connected to the charging path in the disconnected state, turning on the charging path in the disconnected state and with the charging load connected.

6. The multi-port charging control method according to claim 5, wherein, the multi-port charging control method further includes: monitoring the number of charging paths in the conducting state; when it is monitored that at least two of the charging paths are in the conducting state, controlling the voltage conversion circuit to output a preset normal charging voltage; and when it is monitored that only one charging path is in the conducting state, obtaining the target charging voltage requested by the charging load connected to the conducting charging path, and controlling the voltage conversion circuit to adjust the output voltage to the target charging voltage.

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